Inside The Bills

Bills LB Arthur Moats has experience playing defensive end from his college days at James Madison. He made need to lean on that experience Sunday with Buffalo short at the position going into the Jaguars game.

Moats practiced with the defensive line group in practice Friday this week so he’s prepared if called upon. With Chris Kelsay and Mark Anderson both out, Buffalo has just Kyle Moore, Shawne Merriman and Mario Williams at defensive end. Though Spencer Johnson is capable of playing outside as well, he’s been bothered by a sore ankle and was sick this week making him questionable for Sunday.

“It felt good, but it was just practice for an emergency (situation), so I’m prepared,” Moats told Buffalobills.com late this week. “I’m always comfortable with stuff like that. I don’t know how far it’s going but I’m prepared for it either way.”

Moats already stepped in for a play here or there at end against Indianapolis last week.

“He stepped in there for a couple of snaps last week at defensive end and did a couple of nice things,” said Chan Gailey. “He’s a linebacker, but if you get in a pinch he needs to know what to do. So we worked him for a few snaps in practice this week just in case something has to happen there.”

Today is final cutdown day to get to 53 so stay tuned to Buffalobills.com for the latest on the final roster. For now we’ll get to your questions from AskChris@bills.nfl.net and @ChrisBrownBills on twitter.

1 – Hi Chris,
I was wondering if there has been any clarity on the TD celebrations over the offseason. Especially after the Steve Johnson TD in the Patriots game last year. I know Chan Gailey was asking the league for a clear cut of cans’ and can nots’ after SJ was flagged. I’d hate to see him have to sit or any of the other Bills for celebrating again.

Thank you for your time
-Showtime.CB: Here’s what I found in the NFL rule book concerning excessive celebration.

Under Section 1 – Article 3 of the rule book for Prohibited play it reads as follows in subsets d-f.

(d) Prolonged or excessive celebrations or demonstrations by an individual player. Players are prohibited from engaging in any celebrations or demonstrations while on the ground. A celebration or demonstration shall be deemed excessive or prolonged if a player continues to celebrate or demonstrate after a warning from an official.

(e) Two or more players engaged in prolonged, excessive, premeditated or choreographed celebrations or demonstrations.

(f) Possession or use of foreign or extraneous objects that are not part of the uniform during the game on the field or the sideline, or using the ball as a prop.

The exceptions to it being a foul are if it’s between periods (end of quarter or half) or if a timeout has been called.

It goes on to further state that for (d) it is a penalty if it occurs anywhere except the bench area. (This is why Chad Ochocinco when still with the Bengals retreated to the bench area to do his celebrations)

As long as no other teammates join him in the stands (group celebration would draw a flag) I don’t know that they could flag him for it. Of course knowing he’s a marked man in the eyes of officials they might deem taking a seat in the first row as excessive and flag him anyway.

2 – Chris,

Question, obviously the NFL is a business and teams have to manage their finances. Do you think that the Bills will cut veteran talent at the D-line and CB position that is behind on the depth chart to maybe utilize money elsewhere? I see us stacked at both positions. Also, would Chan and Buddy try to trade during the season if we needed depth at say LB or WR positions? I know Buddy likes his draft picks, but
wondering if he would give some up mid season for a trade if the Bills are making a run at the playoffs. Thanks for all you do CB!
Dan in LA

CB: I think the number one priority for any coach is to keep the best 53 players. Yes, Dwan Edwards and Spencer Johnson make good money for being second wave defensive tackles behind Marcell Dareus and Kyle Williams, but they’re also very dependable and proven players. Knowing how much rotation takes place on the defensive line in the course of a game, I would think they could justify their value to the club.

At cornerback I would disagree with your depth stance. As Buddy Nix always says you can never have enough corners. And as we see now with McGee suffering a bit of a setback in his recovery this past week and Ron Brooks now hurt (foot) suddenly your depth is gone. So again at that position I would say no to thinning the herd so to speak.

With respect to the trade idea, I think they would tend to keep players like the ones mentioned to make a run at the playoffs rather than get rid of them.

3 – Who’s the player with most potential to open some eyes this preseason?

Pete Borini
Clifton Park, NY

CB: As I stated in my training camp awards, Arthur Moats is the most improved player. I also think Nigel Bradham has the potential to surprise some people, and I think Donald Jones can really take a big step this season.

4 – Hi Chris,

Is Marcus Easley eligible for the Practice Squad? Since he hasn’t played a down in the regular season, I would have thought so, but I am not sure that this being his third year eliminates that option for the Bills. It would be great if you could let us know what the exact qualifications are.

Matthew
Los Angeles, CA

CB: Yes, Easley is eligible for the practice squad. I put the full list of eligible players on this blog last week. Players can serve up to three years on the practice squad. What eliminates a player from being eligible for the practice squad is if they have played in nine regular season games or more in any one season. That’s why Naaman Roosevelt is no longer eligible since he played in 10 games last season.

5 – Hey Chris,

Just a question about Terrence McGee. Is he still best suited to be a corner? Wouldn’t it be easier for him to play at the safety spot? He would be a great backup free safety to Jairus and corners at his age (Champ Bailey comes to mind), sometimes make the switch to safety. This would help fill a hole at safety and open room for another one of the young and talented undrafted corners to make the roster. Just a thought.

Thanks,
Tommy of Pittsford
Go Bills!CB: Yes, McGee is still corner material. In fact when healthy I would argue he’s one of the two best outside cornerbacks on this roster. Healthy obviously has been the problem. I realize fans are down on him because of his injury history the past two years, but he is still a very capable cornerback.

What fans need to realize is this organization made a decision on McGee when they released Drayton Florence. They decided he was the guy to keep so there’s a commitment there and I anticipate they’ll be patient with his recovery.

It looks like Arthur Moats has the starting strong side linebacker job all but locked up.

Moats will start at SLB for the third time in four preseason games tonight against the Lions. His chief competitor for that job, Kirk Morrison, will again see time at middle linebacker, much like he did against the Steelers last week.

Kickoff tonight is at 7 pm as the game airs live on WKBW-TV Channel 7.

Arthur Moats will be getting the starting nod at strong side linebacker for the second time in three preseason games tonight against the Steelers, but there’s another young LB that will see some time there as well.

After Moats’ night is done, rookie fourth-round pick Nigel Bradham will see time there. He had been seeing more time on the weak side in camp. The coaching staff wants to get a gauge for not only Bradham’s versatility, but how much he can handle mentally in terms of multiple roles on defense.

One note: don’t look at this as a demotion for Kirk Morrison. He’s going to be busy lining up at MLB as we told you here on Thursday. He’s expected to see time there behind Kelvin Sheppard tonight.

Bills LB Kirk Morrison has spent most of his career at middle linebacker. Although he has been mainly lined up on the strong side in direct competition with Arthur Moats, Morrison has also seen a few more reps of late in the middle.

“I think that what we’re doing as a defense is it’s all about being able to play multiple positions and for me having the ability to play middle linebacker for most of my career has helped me out a lot,” Morrison told Buffalobills.com.

Morrison saw a few reps at middle linebacker in the Minnesota game. This week with the audio headset being installed into his helmet Friday it’s likely he’ll see time at middle linebacker again Saturday night.

“It’ll be in there this week,” said Morrison of the communication device with the defensive coaches on the sideline. “We’ll see what happens. There are still some young guys and they want to make sure they give them a look too.”

The coaches likely see Morrison’s experience as a MLB as an asset should Kelvin Sheppard succumb to injury during the season. Knowing Arthur Moats is expected to start at SLB Saturday, Morrison’s versatility figures to be key in securing a final roster spot.

Bills third-year linebacker Arthur Moats has been in a tight competition with veteran Kirk Morrison at the strong side linebacker position. As we profiled on Buffalobills.com earlier this week, it’s a tight race, but defensive coordinator Dave Wannstedt is giving the early nod to Moats.

“To be quite honest with you Arthur gets the nudge a little bit,” said Wannstedt. “They are going to split time in the game, but Arthur might have outperformed him a little bit at this point in training camp. So we have real competition right there and how it unfolds, the games will determine that.”

Less than a month until training camp! Haven’t seen excitement like this for a Bills season in some time. Just a reminder that our Top 25 Questions until Training Camp series begins on Saturday. We’ll be filing our inside reports on 25 of the most pressing questions facing the team and the coaching staff as the team makes their final preparations for the season at camp. So be sure to check back daily from now until the players report to St. John Fisher. Now to your questions.

1 – Good day Chris,

I would like your opinion on Mario switching sides to the left side. I read he’s doing it because his contract is incentive laden and he has so much pull he basically got his way. Jared Allen punishes QB’s from the right side please give me some hope that all this talk is just drivel .

Thanx
Mike from Nebraska

CB: Just drivel really. Mario prefers to rush from the left side because everything just feels more natural for him over there. I honestly haven’t asked him if he’s left-handed. He was switched back and forth a lot in his time in Houston, and I would anticipate he’ll flip to the right side from time to time with the Bills.

But you put players in the best position to succeed. If he feels he’s at his best at LDE that’s where you put him. Not to mention the fact that he’s supposedly going against a lesser offensive tackle every week from that side knowing most teams put their best offensive tackle on the left side.

2 – Hey Chris

I’m anxious to see who they start at SLB and what the deal is with Leodis McKelvin, I like to think he can contribute this season what do you think?

The roster this year has me excited enough I’m going to make the trip to Buffalo and see a game, I want to buy a jersey but Doug Flutie is still my favourite player.

Would you have any idea where I could find a good one besides Ebay? I appreciate what you do, enjoy.

Alexander Albanese
TorontoCB: Going into camp the favorite to play SLB in the team’s base defense is Kirk Morrison. Running behind him on the depth there is Arthur Moats.

As for Leodis McKelvin, he’s always had elite level talent it’s just the consistency of his game that is the issue. If he can put together a strong camp he could lock down one of the outside cornerback jobs and possibly the nickel corner as well. There’s no question he’ll be motivated entering a contract year.

Thanks for your daily coverage on OTAs and minicamp. I was wondering about T.J Graham. With his size do the bills see him as a slot guy or and outside receiver. I know he can fly but is he too small? Also who will start as the #2 receiver in training camp?

Michael

CB: I think your concern about Graham is legitimate. In the spring workouts it’s difficult to ascertain how a receiver is going to fare when things get physical because they’re not wearing pads. That’s why we’ll know a lot more about how physical Graham can be and how well he can bang with physical cornerbacks, and the Bills have a few of them.

The Bills believe Graham is an outside receiver, and that’s where they can make best use of his deep speed. But I do wonder how he’ll do once the pads are on and corners are jamming him at the line. It will certainly bear watching.

At the outset of training camp I expect Donald Jones to be the number two receiver, but that is going to be a heated competition, which we’ll cover extensively in our Top 25 questions until camp series on Buffalobills.com.

4 – Chris,

First of all, thank you a hundred times over for your coverage of the Bills. You have a knack for covering the angles that make us fans feel like insiders, even all the way down here in CT.

Justifiably, much of the off-season talk has been positive, celebrating the upgrades at key positions and additions to create positional depth through free agency and the draft. While I agree that this team is markedly deeper and more talented than the 2011 version, I think the D is still dangerously thin at some key spots. The front 4 is stacked and can endure an injury or two, but it is the back 7 that has me worried. What happens if Nick Barnett, as he has in the past, goes down for an extended period? None of the young reserves (Moats, Batten, White) have shown enough to instill confidence that they can step in and compete at a high enough level. If Terrence McGee is unable to regain form, which is a distinct possibility, are Williams, Gilmore, Rogers, McKelvin, and Brooks really ready to shut down the leagues top offenses without a veteran leader?

My question to you is this:

As someone who is with the team every day and has seen the OTAs up close, what are your biggest positional concerns? Where do you think the Bills are the thinnest; meaning we will not be able to remain competitive if a starter goes down?

Bonus question: My CT crew will be at Hammer’s Lot before the Patriots game on Sept. 30th in full force, as we are every year. What are the chances you make an appearance?

-Dan S. K.
Torrington, CT

CB: First, thanks for the kind words. Positions of concern for me in terms of depth is like you linebacker. I like the starting linebackers a lot and I believe if Shep were to go down they would shift one of the two veteran outside backers inside. However, the loss of Barnett would be tough. Moats really played well in the spring and I think will be the first LB off the bench behind the vets outside.

I think the DBs will be fine. You’ve got young confident players in that group (Gilmore, Williams, Rogers) and I believe they’ll capably fill roles. In fact it would not shock me if Gilmore and Williams are your starters and Rogers is pushing for the nickel role.

Concerning your tailgate for the Pats game, I unfortunately have pre-game radio responsibilities. I don’t know if I’ll be able to get away, but you’re more than welcome to come say ‘hey’ at our pre-game broadcast location in the Bills Fieldhouse.

5 – Hey Chris,

With major upgrades and restored health to our front seven, I see an amazing year for our DB’s in picking off opposing quarterbacks. Is there any talk or expectations you’re hearing from the coaching staff or team regarding an increase in forced turnovers? Thanks!!

Superdoops in NJ.

CB: I’ll let Jairus Byrd answer this question since I asked him just what you asked me.

“It’s hard not to get giddy,” said Byrd. “We’ve talked to the guys on the back end and we are excited about it, but we’re waiting. We do have to feel each other out. The first preseason at the end of camp will be a good indicator about just the time and how we can play things because we’re not used to it. We’ve got to feel each other out to see what that pressure feels like. We’re excited though.”

If an outside observer wanted to measure the level of football smarts that Arthur Moats possesses they need only look at what Buffalo’s coaching staff is asking him to tackle as the team prepares for training camp.

As we profiled on the home page of Buffalobills.com, Moats is doing some cross training at linebacker. The former sixth-round pick’s switches between stand up LB and inside LB in the team’s old 3-4 system almost became comical last year. One week he’d be inside, the next he’d be outside and back and forth it went for most of the year. While it might have been dizzying for some, Moats took it all in stride.

Now in the new 4-3 system the staff has decided to work him on the strong side in the base defense and as a ‘mike’ or MLB in the team’s nickel package. He’s even seen some reps as the ‘mike’ in the team’s dime package. Moats has embraced it all with the goal to be a major contributor and teammate that can be looked to for leadership.

“I feel like in this role right now, I am kind of on the brink of becoming a leader on this defense,” Moats told Buffalobills.com. “I am more vocal now when I am playing the linebacker position and it is only going to help me become a leader. My goal this year is to be more of a leader and make more plays.”

Bills LB Arthur Moats was a busy man Friday morning as he appeared on WKBW Channel 7’s morning show in Buffalo as well as WGR Sportsradio 550 to spread the word about the release of the new line of New Era NFL caps this Sunday at midnight.

New Era Buffalo Bills hats will be available for purchase online at buffalobills.com starting Sunday, April 1st at 12:01 am. They will also be available in the Bills Store at One Bills Drive on Monday, April 2nd. New Era’s flagship store in downtown Buffalo will host a special midnight release party for its full line of NFL hats on Sunday, April 1st from midnight – 2:00 am.

Here’s a sneak peek of the caps and Moats donning one of them himself on set with Ginger Geoffrey and Elizabeth Carey from Channel 7 this morning.

Bills defensive coordinator Dave Wannstedt provided some details as to where some of his players will fit into his new 4-3 scheme. Kelvin Sheppard will be his MLB and Nick Barnett is going to be on the weak side. So who are the candidates for the strong side. One of them appears to be Arthur Moats.

At 6’0″ 252 pounds, one might think he could serve as a backup to Sheppard in the middle, but that’s not where Moats expects to line up initially come May OTAs.

“We briefly talked and mainly he told me what position I’d be looking towards. It’ll be more on the outside,” said Moats. “When I talked to him it was more in the direction of strong side linebacker. It’s pretty similar to what we were doing (last year) just out of a different alignment. Overall it’s a new experience for me and I’ll be taking it on head first.”

Moats will likely be one of a few candidates for that starting SLB role in Wannstedt’s defense. GM Buddy Nix mentioned the need to add another linebacker either in free agency or the draft. Where Chris White will line up is still a mystery at this point, and Kirk Morrison is a free agent.

Moats, who was participating in a Play 60 community event in Buffalo Thursday said they also talked about what he was doing last year in training camp lining up at inside linebacker and how those things played out. Moats flip-flopped back and forth throughout the season last year between inside and outside linebacker. He anticipates with the system being new that they’ll leave him on the strong side.

“I just look at it as a new challenge and it’s inspiring that they would consider me for the job,” he said. “They feel I’m athletic enough and smart enough to handle it.”

“I think we’ve got some good young guys who can get out there and blitz and come off that edge,” he said. “I think Moats, Danny Batten and we get one of our good guys back (in Coleman), so we’ll see what happens.”

Moats, who says it appears as though he’ll stay outside with the loss of Shawne Merriman, confirmed there was a big emphasis on winning more of the one-on-one pass rush battles to get to the opposing quarterback more often.

“We’re all just saying let’s get home, let’s finish,” he said. “All the one-on-one’s, we’re not being as successful as we’d like to and we need to definitely step that up and we’ve taken that upon ourselves as outside linebackers this week to make sure they can just execute.”

With Shawne Merriman on injured reserve, head coach Chan Gailey confirmed that filling the void left by the veteran linebacker will be a group effort.

“We’ll play a rotation of several guys in there,” said Gailey. “We get (Chris) Kelsay back, which is great. We’ve got Spencer (Johnson), Danny Batten, Arthur Moats and Antonio Coleman is back. It gives us some flexibility about who can go in there. We’ve just got to keep guys fresh and let them keep going at the quarterback.”

Batten started for Merriman in the Week 6 game at New York. Spencer Johnson started in place of Kelsay in that game, but Kelsay is back in the lineup this week. Coleman is not expected to be part of the rotation this Sunday as he get re-acquainted with the defensive scheme and some of the changes that have been made since he was released.

Losing Merriman for the season leaves the Bills dangerously thin at outside linebacker with Danny Batten, Chris Kelsay and Moats as the only true outside linebackers. Spencer Johnson has also played out there in certain packages. It’s unclear right now if the Bills will use the vacant roster spot to acquire another outside linebacker.

With Chris Kelsay out for Sunday’s game and Shawne Merriman doubtful, Buffalo is going to be relying on a pair of second-year linebackers in Danny Batten and Arthur Moats. Head coach Chan Gailey admits the pair will get much more time than they typically would, but there aren’t too many other options.

“They’ve been thrust in there a little earlier than maybe a lot of us hoped they would have to be in there,” said Gailey. “We were hoping to bring them along slowly. I know they’ll compete and they’re intelligent and will play as hard as they can play. And the good thing about them is they’ll play with speed. They play as hard as you can play every snap they’re on the field. They embody what our football team is about I believe so I trust they can get the job done.”

Batten and Moats’ speed will be helpful with respect to pass rush. Hopefully it only helps to stretch outside run plays by the Giants wider allowing run support to arrive from the secondary and prevent Ahmad Bradshaw from gaining the corner.

Arthur Moats has been a linebacker in motion from the time he arrived at One Bills Drive last year as he’s transitioned from inside linebacker to outside linebacker and back and back again. For now though he will stay at outside backer.

Head coach Chan Gailey confirmed as much due primarily to the injured Chris Kelsay.

“We’ve got to put him out there right now,” said Gailey of Moats. “We’ve got to leave him out there especially while Chris (Kelsay) is out. We’ve got to leave him out there.”

Gailey was encouraged by Moats’ performance Sunday against the Eagles, which included a quarterback hit leading to an errant throw and interception.

“He did a nice job,” said Gailey. “He wasn’t perfect. He hadn’t practiced there a lot so I think as he gets more work there maybe he’ll continue to give us a little juice off the edge.”

With Kelsay not expected to return to the lineup this week Moats should again be part of the rotation of players that included Spencer Johnson and Danny Batten at Kelsay’s OLB position.

For the second day in a row Bills LB Arthur Moats has moved back to inside linebacker.

Last week Arthur Moats was with the outside linebackers during individual position drills, for the first time since last season. He had the opportunity for some rushes last week from the outside position.

This week however, it’s back inside. Last week head coach Chan Gailey said finding him a permanent home would be nice, but that there is value in having Moats as a versatile option as well.

He’s been an outside linebacker and an inside linebacker for Buffalo in less than two full NFL seasons, and he’s switched back and forth a handful of times. This week however, Arthur Moats will get the opportunity to rush the passer a bit.

“I’m going to get some rushes this game,” Moats told reporters following Friday’s practice. “That’s what they said. So we’ll see how it goes on Sunday.”

Since training camp Moats had been lined up at inside linebacker, where the coaching staff felt his physical stature was best suited. He played defensive end at James Madison in college, but projected to LB in the NFL. At 6’0″ he’s a few inches short of the prototype size NFL clubs look for in an OLB in a 3-4 defense. But Moats did make an impact last season as a rush linebacker with 24 tackles on defense and 2.5 sacks in four starts.

Buffalo’s pass rush has not been all that productive thus far this season with just two sacks in three games. Part of that is due to the focus on run defense facing two high-powered rushing attacks in Kansas City and Oakland as well as a passer that doesn’t allow the pressure to get to him in Tom Brady last week. But it’s obvious the coaching staff is exploring their options to see if they can find a pass rush combination that works.

Moats feels pretty comfortable moving back outside after playing there last season and reviewing some of the coverages and concepts while he was out early in the year with a knee injury.

“As far as the rushing side of it, that’s pretty simple,” said Moats. “It’s the blitzes and different coverages I have to learn. Overall just from being inside I feel comfortable with it. It’s not like it’s foreign. It’s something that’s going to come back quickly.”

Head coach Chan Gailey realizes Moats has bounced back and forth a lot in his short NFL career, but can’t be certain as to whether Moats will have a permanent home any time soon position-wise.

“You’d like to find a permanent home for everybody,” Gailey told Buffalobills.com. “It’s easier on them and easier on us. But to have a guy that is versatile helps your football team. You get some injuries and all of a sudden you’ve got a guy that can give you an edge rush if you need it. He can play back behind the line if you need it. You take advantage of what the positives are if you have them.”

As for Moats he’s not worried about where he’s lined up as long as he’s getting the opportunity to play.

“I stopped even thinking about it,” said Moats laughing. “I’m just looking at myself as a renaissance man. If they need me to play inside, I’ll play inside. If they need me to play outside, I’ll play outside. That’s the way I look at it.”